Proximity switch assembly having pliable surface and depression

ABSTRACT

A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. A depression is formed in a substrate between the pliable material and the sensor. A groove may extend into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/284,659, filed on May 22, 2014, entitled “PLIABLE PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/168,614, filed on Jan. 30, 2014, entitled “PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD HAVING VIRTUAL BUTTON MODE,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/444,393, filed on Apr. 11, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,933,708, entitled “PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND ACTIVATION METHOD WITH EXPLORATION MODE.” The aforementioned related applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to switches, and more particularly relates to proximity switches having an enhanced determination of switch activation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicles are typically equipped with various user actuatable switches, such as switches for operating devices including powered windows, headlights, windshield wipers, moonroofs or sunroofs, interior lighting, radio and infotainment devices, and various other devices. Generally, these types of switches need to be actuated by a user in order to activate or deactivate a device or perform some type of control function. Proximity switches, such as capacitive switches, employ one or more proximity sensors to generate a sense activation field and sense changes to the activation field indicative of user actuation of the switch, typically caused by a user's finger in close proximity or contact with the sensor. Capacitive switches are typically configured to detect user actuation of the switch based on comparison of the sense activation field to a threshold.

Switch assemblies often employ a plurality of capacitive switches in close proximity to one another and generally require that a user select a single desired capacitive switch to perform the intended operation. In some applications, such as use in an automobile, the driver of the vehicle has limited ability to view the switches due to driver distraction. In such applications, it is desirable to allow the user to explore the switch assembly for a specific button while avoiding a premature determination of switch activation. Thus, it is desirable to discriminate whether the user intends to activate a switch, or is simply exploring for a specific switch button while focusing on a higher priority task, such as driving, or has no intent to activate a switch. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide for a proximity switch arrangement which enhances the use of proximity switches by a person, such as a driver of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a proximity switch assembly is provided. The proximity switch assembly includes a rigid substrate having top and bottom surfaces, a proximity sensor disposed on the substrate, and a pliable material disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The proximity switch assembly also includes a depression within the top surface of the substrate in a region between the pliable material and the proxy sensor. The depression is larger than the proximity sensor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle proximity switch assembly is provided. The vehicle proximity switch assembly includes a rigid substrate having first and second surfaces, a proximity sensor disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and a pliable material disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The vehicle proximity switch assembly also includes a depression forming an air gap within the second surface of the substrate in a region between the pliable material and the proximity sensor. The depression is longer than the proximity sensor.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle having an overhead console employing a proximity switch assembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the overhead console and proximity switch assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through line III-III in FIG. 2 showing an array of proximity switches in relation to a user's finger;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a capacitive sensor employed in each of the capacitive switches shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the proximity switch assembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the signal count for one channel associated with a capacitive sensor showing an activation motion profile;

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the signal count for two channels associated with the capacitive sensors showing a sliding exploration/hunting motion profile;

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the signal count for a signal channel associated with the capacitive sensors showing a slow activation motion profile;

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating the signal count for two channels associated with the capacitive sensors showing a fast sliding exploration/hunting motion profile;

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the signal count for three channels associated with the capacitive sensors in an exploration/hunting mode illustrating a stable press activation at the peak, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the signal count for three channels associated with the capacitive sensors in an exploration/hunting mode illustrating stable press activation on signal descent below the peak, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the signal count for three channels associated with the capacitive sensors in an exploration/hunting mode illustrating increased stable pressure on a pad to activate a switch, according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the signal count for three channels associated with the capacitive sensors in an exploration mode and selection of a pad based on increased stable pressure, according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a state diagram illustrating five states of the capacitive switch assembly implemented with a state machine, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for executing a method of activating a switch of the switch assembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing of the switch activation and switch release;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating logic for switching between the switch none and switch active states;

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating logic for switching from the active switch state to the switch none or switch threshold state;

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for switching between the switch threshold and switch hunting states;

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a virtual button method implementing the switch hunting state;

FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating the signal count for a channel associated with a capacitive sensor having an exploration mode and a virtual button mode for activating a switch, according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating the signal count for the virtual button mode in which an activation is not triggered;

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating the signal count for the capacitive sensor in the exploration mode further illustrating when the switch is activated, according to the embodiment of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating the signal count for a capacitive sensor further illustrating when activations are triggered, according to the embodiment of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating the signal count for a capacitive sensor further illustrating a timeout for exiting the virtual button mode and re-entering the virtual button mode, according to the embodiment of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for processing the signal channel with a virtual button mode, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating a virtual button method for processing the signal channel, according to the embodiment of FIG. 21;

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of a proximity switch assembly having proximity switches and an overlying pliable material in relation to a user's finger shown in a first position, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly of FIG. 28A further illustrating the user's finger in a second position;

FIG. 28C is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly of FIG. 28A further illustrating depression of the finger into the pliable layer in a third position;

FIG. 28D is a graph illustrating the signal generated by one of the proximity sensors in response to movement of the finger and depression of the pliable cover as seen in FIGS. 28A-28C;

FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view of a proximity switch assembly employing a pliable cover material having elevated regions with air gaps and a user's finger shown in a first position, according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly of FIG. 29A further illustrating the user's finger in a second position;

FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly as seen in FIG. 29A further illustrating depression of the switch by a user's finger in a third position;

FIG. 29D is a graph illustrating a signal generated by one of the sensors in response to movement of the finger as shown in FIGS. 29A-29C;

FIG. 30 is a state diagram illustrating various states of the capacitive switch assembly having the pliable material covering and virtual button mode;

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for processing the signal generated with a proximity switch having a pliable material covering, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a vehicle overhead console having a proximity switch assembly employing depressions in the substrate and a pliable covering, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a top view of the overhead console and switch assembly shown in FIG. 32 with the sensors and depressions shown in hidden dashed lines;

FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly shown in FIG. 32, and a user's finger shown in a first position, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 34B is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly of FIG. 34A further illustrating the user's finger in a second position;

FIG. 34C is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly as seen in FIG. 34A further illustrating depression of the switch by a user's finger in a third position;

FIG. 34D is a graph illustrating a signal generated by one of the proximity sensors in response to movement of the finger as shown in FIGS. 34A-34C;

FIG. 35 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a vehicle overhead console having a proximity switch assembly employing a groove between adjacent sensors, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a top view of the overhead console and switch assembly shown in FIG. 35 with the sensors, depressions and grooves shown in hidden lines;

FIG. 37A is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly shown in FIG. 35, and a user's finger shown in a first position, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 37B is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly of FIG. 37A further illustrating the user's finger in a second position;

FIG. 37C is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly as seen in FIG. 37A further illustrating the user's finger in a third position;

FIG. 37D is a cross-sectional view of the proximity switch assembly as seen in FIG. 37A further illustrating the user's finger in a fourth position;

FIG. 37E is a graph illustrating two signals generated by two of the sensors in response to movement of the finger as shown in FIGS. 37A-37D; and

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a proximity switch assembly employing a pliable cover material having a depression and an elevated region in the pliable material above each depression, according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the interior of an automotive vehicle 10 is generally illustrated having a passenger compartment and a switch assembly 20 employing a plurality of proximity switches 22 having switch activation monitoring and determination, according to one embodiment. The vehicle 10 generally includes an overhead console 12 assembled to the headliner on the underside of the roof or ceiling at the top of the vehicle passenger compartment, generally above the front passenger seating area. The switch assembly 20 has a plurality of proximity switches 22 arranged close to one another in the overhead console 12, according to one embodiment. The various proximity switches 22 may control any of a number of vehicle devices and functions, such as controlling movement of a sunroof or moonroof 16, controlling movement of a moonroof shade 18, controlling activation of one or more lighting devices such as interior map/reading and dome lights 30, and various other devices and functions. However, it should be appreciated that the proximity switches 22 may be located elsewhere on the vehicle 10, such as in the dash panel, on other consoles such as a center console, integrated into a touch screen display 14 for a radio or infotainment system such as a navigation and/or audio display, or located elsewhere onboard the vehicle 10 according to various vehicle applications.

The proximity switches 22 are shown and described herein as capacitive switches, according to one embodiment. Each proximity switch 22 includes at least one proximity sensor that provides a sense activation field to sense contact or close proximity (e.g., within one millimeter) of a user in relation to the one or more proximity sensors, such as a swiping motion by a user's finger. Thus, the sense activation field of each proximity switch 22 is a capacitive field in the exemplary embodiment and the user's finger has electrical conductivity and dielectric properties that cause a change or disturbance in the sense activation field as should be evident to those skilled in the art. However, it should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional or alternative types of proximity sensors can be used, such as, but not limited to, inductive sensors, optical sensors, temperatures sensors, resistive sensors, the like, or a combination thereof. Exemplary proximity sensors are described in the Apr. 9, 2009, ATMEL® Touch Sensors Design Guide, 10620 D-AT42-04/09, the entire reference hereby being incorporated herein by reference.

The proximity switches 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each provide control of a vehicle component or device or provide a designated control function. One or more of the proximity switches 22 may be dedicated to controlling movement of a sunroof or moonroof 16 so as to cause the moonroof 16 to move in an open or closed direction, tilt the moonroof, or stop movement of the moonroof based upon a control algorithm. One or more other proximity switches 22 may be dedicated to controlling movement of a moonroof shade 18 between open and closed positions. Each of the moonroof 16 and shade 18 may be actuated by an electric motor in response to actuation of the corresponding proximity switch 22. Other proximity switches 22 may be dedicated to controlling other devices, such as turning an interior map/reading light 30 on, turning an interior map/reading light 30 off, turning a dome lamp on or off, unlocking a trunk, opening a rear hatch, or defeating a door light switch. Additional controls via the proximity switches 22 may include actuating door power windows up and down. Various other vehicle controls may be controlled by way of the proximity switches 22 described herein.

Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of the proximity switch assembly 20 is illustrated having an array of three serially arranged proximity switches 22 in close relation to one another in relation to a user's finger 34 during use of the switch assembly 20. Each proximity switch 22 includes one or more proximity sensors 24 for generating a sense activation field. According to one embodiment, each of the proximity sensors 24 may be formed by printing conductive ink onto the top surface of the polymeric overhead console 12. One example of a printed ink proximity sensor 24 is shown in FIG. 4 generally having a drive electrode 26 and a receive electrode 28 each having interdigitated fingers for generating a capacitive field 32. It should be appreciated that each of the proximity sensors 24 may be otherwise formed such as by assembling a preformed conductive circuit trace onto a substrate according to other embodiments. The drive electrode 26 receives square wave drive pulses applied at voltage V_(I). The receive electrode 28 has an output for generating an output voltage V_(O). It should be appreciated that the electrodes 26 and 28 may be arranged in various other configurations for generating the capacitive field as the activation field 32.

In the embodiment shown and described herein, the drive electrode 26 of each proximity sensor 24 is applied with voltage input V_(I) as square wave pulses having a charge pulse cycle sufficient to charge the receive electrode 28 to a desired voltage. The receive electrode 28 thereby serve as a measurement electrode. In the embodiment shown, adjacent sense activation fields 32 generated by adjacent proximity switches 22 overlap slightly, however, overlap may not exist according to other embodiments. When a user or operator, such as the user's finger 34, enters an activation field 32, the proximity switch assembly 20 detects the disturbance caused by the finger 34 to the activation field 32 and determines whether the disturbance is sufficient to activate the corresponding proximity switch 22. The disturbance of the activation field 32 is detected by processing the charge pulse signal associated with the corresponding signal channel. When the user's finger 34 contacts two activation fields 32, the proximity switch assembly 20 detects the disturbance of both contacted activation fields 32 via separate signal channels. Each proximity switch 22 has its own dedicated signal channel generating charge pulse counts which is processed as discussed herein.

Referring to FIG. 5, the proximity switch assembly 20 is illustrated according to one embodiment. A plurality of proximity sensors 24 are shown providing inputs to a controller 40, such as a microcontroller. The controller 40 may include control circuitry, such as a microprocessor 42 and memory 48. The control circuitry may include sense control circuitry processing the activation field of each sensor 22 to sense user activation of the corresponding switch by comparing the activation field signal to one or more thresholds pursuant to one or more control routines. It should be appreciated that other analog and/or digital control circuitry may be employed to process each activation field, determine user activation, and initiate an action. The controller 40 may employ a QMatrix acquisition method available by ATMEL®, according to one embodiment. The ATMEL acquisition method employs a WINDOWS® host C/C++ compiler and debugger WinAVR to simplify development and testing the utility Hawkeye that allows monitoring in real-time the internal state of critical variables in the software as well as collecting logs of data for post-processing.

The controller 40 provides an output signal to one or more devices that are configured to perform dedicated actions responsive to correct activation of a proximity switch. For example, the one or more devices may include a moonroof 16 having a motor to move the moonroof panel between open and closed and tilt positions, a moonroof shade 18 that moves between open and closed positions, and lighting devices 30 that may be turned on and off. Other devices may be controlled such as a radio for performing on and off functions, volume control, scanning, and other types of devices for performing other dedicated functions. One of the proximity switches 22 may be dedicated to actuating the moonroof closed, another proximity switch 22 may be dedicated to actuating the moonroof open, and a further switch 22 may be dedicated to actuating the moonroof to a tilt position, all of which would cause a motor to move the moonroof to a desired position. The moonroof shade 18 may be opened in response to one proximity switch 22 and may be closed responsive to another proximity switch 22.

The controller 40 is further shown having an analog to digital (A/D) comparator 44 coupled to the microprocessor 42. The A/D comparator 44 receives the voltage output V_(O) from each of the proximity switches 22, converts the analog signal to a digital signal, and provides the digital signal to the microprocessor 42. Additionally, controller 40 includes a pulse counter 46 coupled to the microprocessor 42. The pulse counter 46 counts the charge signal pulses that are applied to each drive electrode of each proximity sensor, performs a count of the pulses needed to charge the capacitor until the voltage output V_(O) reaches a predetermined voltage, and provides the count to the microprocessor 42. The pulse count is indicative of the change in capacitance of the corresponding capacitive sensor. The controller 40 is further shown communicating with a pulse width modulated drive buffer 15. The controller 40 provides a pulse width modulated signal to the pulse width modulated drive buffer 15 to generate a square wave pulse train V_(I) which is applied to each drive electrode of each proximity sensor/switch 22. The controller 40 processes a control routine 100 stored in memory to monitor and make a determination as to activation of one of the proximity switches.

In FIGS. 6-13, the change in sensor charge pulse counts shown as A Sensor Count for a plurality of signal channels associated with a plurality of proximity switches 22, such as the three switches 22 shown in FIG. 3, is illustrated according to various examples. The change in sensor charge pulse count is the difference between an initialized referenced count value without any finger or other object present in the activation field and the corresponding sensor reading. In these examples, the user's finger enters the activation fields 32 associated with each of three proximity switches 22, generally one sense activation field at a time with overlap between adjacent activation fields 32 as the user's finger moves across the array of switches. Channel 1 is the change (Δ) in sensor charge pulse count associated with a first capacitive sensor 24, channel 2 is the change in sensor charge pulse count associated with the adjacent second capacitive sensor 24, and channel 3 is the change in sensor charge pulse count associated with the third capacitive sensor 24 adjacent to the second capacitive sensor. In the disclosed embodiment, the proximity sensors 24 are capacitive sensors. When a user's finger is in contact with or close proximity of a sensor 24, the finger alters the capacitance measured at the corresponding sensor 24. The capacitance is in parallel to the untouched sensor pad parasitic capacitance, and as such, measures as an offset. The user or operator induced capacitance is proportional to the user's finger or other body part dielectric constant, the surface exposed to the capacitive pad, and is inversely proportional to the distance of the user's limb to the switch button. According to one embodiment, each sensor is excited with a train of voltage pulses via pulse width modulation (PWM) electronics until the sensor is charged up to a set voltage potential. Such an acquisition method charges the receive electrode 28 to a known voltage potential. The cycle is repeated until the voltage across the measurement capacitor reaches a predetermined voltage. Placing a user's finger on the touch surface of the switch 24 introduces external capacitance that increases the amount of charge transferred each cycle, thereby reducing the total number of cycles required for the measurement capacitance to reach the predetermined voltage. The user's finger causes the change in sensor charge pulse count to increase since this value is based on the initialized reference count minus the sensor reading.

The proximity switch assembly 20 is able to recognize the user's hand motion when the hand, particularly a finger, is in close proximity to the proximity switches 22, to discriminate whether the intent of the user is to activate a switch 22, explore for a specific switch button while focusing on higher priority tasks, such as driving, or is the result of a task such as adjusting the rearview mirror that has nothing to do with actuation of a proximity switch 22. The proximity switch assembly 20 may operate in an exploration or hunting mode which enables the user to explore the keypads or buttons by passing or sliding a finger in close proximity to the switches without triggering an activation of a switch until the user's intent is determined. The proximity switch assembly 20 monitors amplitude of a signal generated in response to the activation field, determines a differential change in the generated signal, and generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. As a result, exploration of the proximity switch assembly 20 is allowed, such that users are free to explore the switch interface pad with their fingers without inadvertently triggering an event, the interface response time is fast, activation happens when the finger contacts a surface panel, and inadvertent activation of the switch is prevented or reduced.

Referring to FIG. 6, as the user's finger 34 approaches a switch 22 associated with signal channel 1, the finger 34 enters the activation field 32 associated with the sensor 24 which causes disruption to the capacitance, thereby resulting in a sensor count increase as shown by signal 50A having a typical activation motion profile. An entry ramp slope method may be used to determine whether the operator intends to press a button or explore the interface based on the slope of the entry ramp in signal 50A of the channel 1 signal rising from point 52 where signal 50A crosses the level active (LVL_ACTIVE) count up to point 54 where signal 50A crosses the level threshold (LVL_THRESHOLD) count, according to one embodiment. The slope of the entry ramp is the differential change in the generated signal between points 52 and 54 which occurred during the time period between times t_(th) and t_(ac). Because the numerator level threshold—level active generally changes only as the presence of gloves is detected, but is otherwise a constant, the slope can be calculated as just the time expired to cross from level active to level threshold referred to as t_(active2threshold) which is the difference between time t_(th) and t_(ac). A direct push on a switch pad typically may occur in a time period referred to t_(directpush) in the range of about 40 to 60 milliseconds. If the time t_(active2threshold) is less than or equal to the direct push time t_(directpush), then activation of the switch is determined to occur. Otherwise, the switch is determined to be in an exploration mode.

According to another embodiment, the slope of the entry ramp may be computed as the difference in time from the time t_(ac) at point 52 to time t_(pk) to reach the peak count value at point 56, referred to as time t_(active2peak). The time t_(active2peak). may be compared to a direct push peak, referred to as t_(direct) _(_) _(push) _(_) _(pk) which may have a value of 100 milliseconds according to one embodiment. If time t_(active2peak) is less than or equal to the t_(direct) _(_) _(push) _(_) _(pk) activation of the switch is determined to occur. Otherwise, the switch assembly operates in an exploration mode.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the channel 1 signal is shown increasing as the capacitance disturbance increases rising quickly from point 52 to peak value at point 56. The proximity switch assembly 20 determines the slope of the entry ramp as either time period t_(active2threshold) or t_(active2peak) for the signal to increase from the first threshold point 52 to either the second threshold at point 54 or the peak threshold at point 56. The slope or differential change in the generated signal is then used for comparison with a representative direct push threshold t_(direct) _(_) _(push) or t_(direct) _(_) _(push) _(_) _(pk) to determine activation of the proximity switch. Specifically, when time t_(active2peak) is less than the t_(direct) _(_) _(push) or t_(active2threshold) is less than t_(direct) _(_) _(push), activation of the switch is determined. Otherwise, the switch assembly remains in the exploration mode.

Referring to FIG. 7, one example of a sliding/exploration motion across two switches is illustrated as the finger passes or slides through the activation field of two adjacent proximity sensors shown as signal channel 1 labeled 50A and signal channel 2 labeled 50B. As the user's finger approaches a first switch, the finger enters the activation field associated with the first switch sensor causing the change in sensor count on signal 50A to increase at a slower rate such that a lessened differential change in the generated signal is determined. In this example, the profile of signal channel 1 experiences a change in time t_(active2peak) that is not less than or equal to t_(direct) _(_) _(push), thereby resulting in entering the hunting or exploration mode. Because the t_(active2threshold) is indicative of a slow differential change in the generated signal, no activation of the switch button is initiated, according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, because the time t_(active2peak) is not less than or equal to t_(direct) _(_) _(push) _(_) _(pk), indicative of a slow differential change in a generated signal, no activation is initiated, according to another embodiment. The second signal channel labeled 50B is shown as becoming the maximum signal at transition point 58 and has a rising change in Δ sensor count with a differential change in the signal similar to that of signal 50A. As a result, the first and second channels 50A and 50B reflect a sliding motion of the finger across two capacitive sensors in the exploration mode resulting in no activation of either switch. Using the time period t_(active2threshold) or t_(active2peak), a decision can be made to activate or not a proximity switch as its capacitance level reaches the signal peak.

For a slow direct push motion such as shown in FIG. 8, additional processing may be employed to make sure that no activation is intended. As seen in FIG. 8, the signal channel 1 identified as signal 50A is shown more slowly rising during either time period t_(active2threshold) or t_(active2peak) which would result in the entering of the exploration mode. When such a sliding/exploration condition is detected, with the time t_(active2threshold) greater than t_(direct) _(_) _(push) if the channel failing the condition was the first signal channel entering the exploration mode and it is still the maximum channel (channel with the highest intensity) as its capacitance drops below LVL_KEYUP_Threshold at point 60, then activation of the switch is initiated.

Referring to FIG. 9, a fast motion of a user's finger across the proximity switch assembly is illustrated with no activation of the switches. In this example, the relatively large differential change in the generated signal for channels 1 and 2 are detected, for both channels 1 and 2 shown by lines 50A and 50B, respectively. The switch assembly employs a delayed time period to delay activation of a decision until the transition point 58 at which the second signal channel 50B rises above the first signal channel 50A. The time delay could be set equal to time threshold t_(direct) _(_) _(push) _(_) _(pk) according to one embodiment. Thus, by employing a delay time period before determining activation of a switch, the very fast exploration of the proximity keypads prevents an unintended activation of a switch. The introduction of the time delay in the response may make the interface less responsive and may work better when the operator's finger motion is substantially uniform.

If a previous threshold event that did not result in activation was recently detected, the exploration mode may be entered automatically, according to one embodiment. As a result, once an inadvertent actuation is detected and rejected, more caution may be applied for a period of time in the exploration mode.

Another way to allow an operator to enter the exploration mode is to use one or more properly marked and/or textured areas or pads on the switch panel surface associated with the dedicated proximity switches with the function of signaling the proximity switch assembly of the intent of the operator to blindly explore. The one or more exploration engagement pads may be located in an easy to reach location not likely to generate activity with other signal channels. According to another embodiment, an unmarked, larger exploration engagement pad may be employed surrounding the entire switch interface. Such an exploration pad would likely be encountered first as the operator's hand slides across the trim in the overhead console looking for a landmark from which to start blind exploration of the proximity switch assembly.

Once the proximity sensor assembly determines whether an increase in the change in sensor count is a switch activation or the result of an exploration motion, the assembly proceeds to determine whether and how the exploration motion should terminate or not in an activation of proximity switch. According to one embodiment, the proximity switch assembly looks for a stable press on a switch button for at least a predetermined amount of time. In one specific embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is equal to or greater than 50 milliseconds, and more preferably about 80 milliseconds. Examples of the switch assembly operation employing a stable time methodology is illustrated in FIGS. 10-13.

Referring to FIG. 10, the exploration of three proximity switches corresponding to signal channels 1-3 labeled as signals 50A-50C, respectively, is illustrated while a finger slides across first and second switches in the exploration mode and then activates the third switch associated with signal channel 3. As the finger explores the first and second switches associated with channels 1 and 2, no activation is determined due to no stable signal on lines 50A and 50B. The signal on line 50A for channel 1 begins as the maximum signal value until channel 2 on line 50B becomes the maximum value and finally channel 3 becomes a maximum value. Signal channel 3 is shown having a stable change in sensor count near the peak value for a sufficient time period t_(stable) such as 80 milliseconds which is sufficient to initiate activation of the corresponding proximity switch. When the level threshold trigger condition has been met and a peak has been reached, the stable level method activates the switch after the level on the switch is bound in a tight range for at least the time period t_(stable). This allows the operator to explore the various proximity switches and to activate a desired switch once it is found by maintaining position of the user's finger in proximity to the switch for a stable period of time t_(stable).

Referring to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the stable level method is illustrated in which the third signal channel on line 50C has a change in sensor count that has a stable condition on the descent of the signal. In this example, the change in sensor count for the third channel exceeds the level threshold and has a stable press detected for the time period t_(stable) such that activation of the third switch is determined.

According to another embodiment, the proximity switch assembly may employ a virtual button method which looks for an initial peak value of change in sensor count while in the exploration mode followed by an additional sustained increase in the change in sensor count to make a determination to activate the switch as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIG. 12, the third signal channel on line 50C rises up to an initial peak value and then further increases by a change in sensor count C_(vb). This is equivalent to a user's finger gently brushing the surface of the switch assembly as it slides across the switch assembly, reaching the desired button, and then pressing down on the virtual mechanical switch such that the user's finger presses on the switch contact surface and increases the amount of volume of the finger closer to the switch. The increase in capacitance is caused by the increased surface of the fingertip as it is compressed on the pad surface. The increased capacitance may occur immediately following detection of a peak value shown in FIG. 12 or may occur following a decline in the change in sensor count as shown in FIG. 13. The proximity switch assembly detects an initial peak value followed by a further increased change in sensor count indicated by capacitance C_(vb) at a stable level or a stable time period t_(stable). A stable level of detection generally means no change in sensor count value absent noise or a small change in sensor count value absent noise which can be predetermined during calibration.

It should be appreciated that a shorter time period t_(stable) may result in accidental activations, especially following a reversal in the direction of the finger motion and that a longer time period t_(stable) may result in a less responsive interface.

It should also be appreciated that both the stable value method and the virtual button method can be active at the same time. In doing so, the stable time t_(stable) can be relaxed to be longer, such as one second, since the operator can always trigger the button using the virtual button method without waiting for the stable press time-out.

The proximity switch assembly may further employ robust noise rejection to prevent annoying inadvertent actuations. For example, with an overhead console, accidental opening and closing of the moonroof should be avoided. Too much noise rejection may end up rejecting intended activations, which should be avoided. One approach to rejecting noise is to look at whether multiple adjacent channels are reporting simultaneous triggering events and, if so, selecting the signal channel with the highest signal and activating it, thereby ignoring all other signal channels until the release of the select signal channel.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may include a signature noise rejection method based on two parameters, namely a signature parameter that is the ratio between the channel between the highest intensity (max_channel) and the overall cumulative level (sum_channel), and the dac parameter which is the number of channels that are at least a certain ratio of the max_channel. In one embodiment, the dac α_(dac)=0.5. The signature parameter may be defined by the following equation:

${signature} = {\frac{max\_ channel}{sum\_ channel} = {\frac{\max_{{i = 0},n}{channel}_{i}}{\sum\limits_{{i = 0},n}{channel}_{i}}.}}$

The dac parameter may be defined by the following equation: dac=∀channels_(i)>α_(dac)max_channel.

Depending on dac, for a recognized activation not to be rejected, the channel generally must be clean, i.e., the signature must be higher than a predefined threshold. In one embodiment, α_(dac=1)=0.4, and α_(dac=2)=0.67. If the dac is greater than 2, the activation is rejected according to one embodiment.

When a decision to activate a switch or not is made on the descending phase of the profile, then instead of max_channel and sum_channel their peak values peak_max_channel and peak_sum_channel may be used to calculate the signature. The signature may have the following equation:

${signature} = {\frac{{peak\_ max}{\_ channel}}{{peak\_ sum}{\_ channel}} = {\frac{\max\left( {{max\_ channel}(t)} \right)}{\max\left( {{sum\_ channel}(t)} \right)}.}}$

A noise rejection triggers hunting mode may be employed. When a detected activation is rejected because of a dirty signature, the hunting or exploration mode should be automatically engaged. Thus, when blindly exploring, a user may reach with all fingers extended looking to establish a reference frame from which to start hunting. This may trigger multiple channels at the same time, thereby resulting in a poor signature.

Referring to FIG. 14, a state diagram is shown for the proximity switch assembly 20 in a state machine implementation, according to one embodiment. The state machine implementation is shown having five states including SW_NONE state 70, SW_ACTIVE state 72, SW_THRESHOLD state 74, SW_HUNTING state 76 and SWITCH_ACTIVATED state 78. The SW_NONE state 70 is the state in which there is no sensor activity detected. The SW_ACTIVE state is the state in which some activity is detected by the sensor, but not enough to trigger activation of the switch at that point in time. The SW_THRESHOLD state is the state in which activity as determined by the sensor is high enough to warrant activation, hunting/exploration, or casual motion of the switch assembly. The SW_HUNTING state 76 is entered when the activity pattern as determined by the switch assembly is compatible with the exploration/hunting interaction. The SWITCH_ACTIVATED state 78 is the state in which activation of a switch has been identified. In the SWITCH_ACTIVATED state 78, the switch button will remain active and no other selection will be possible until the corresponding switch is released.

The state of the proximity switch assembly 20 changes depending upon the detection and processing of the sensed signals. When in the SW_NONE state 70, the system 20 may advance to the SW_ACTIVE state 72 when some activity is detected by one or more sensors. If enough activity to warrant either activation, hunting or casual motion is detected, the system 20 may proceed directly to the SW_THRESHOLD state 74. When in the SW_THRESHOLD state 74, the system 20 may proceed to the SW_HUNTING state 76 when a pattern indicative of exploration is detected or may proceed directly to switch activated state 78. When a switch activation is in the SW_HUNTING state, an activation of the switch may be detected to change to the SWITCH_ACTIVATED state 78. If the signal is rejected and inadvertent action is detected, the system 20 may return to the SW_NONE state 70.

Referring to FIG. 15, the main method 100 of monitoring and determining when to generate an activation output with the proximity switch arrangement is shown, according to one embodiment. Method 100 begins at step 102 and proceeds to step 104 to perform an initial calibration which may be performed once. The calibrated signal channel values are computed from raw channel data and calibrated reference values by subtracting the reference value from the raw data in step 106. Next, at step 108, from all signal channel sensor readings, the highest count value referenced as max_channel and the sum of all channel sensor readings referred to as sum_channel are calculated. In addition, the number of active channels is determined. At step 110, method 100 calculates the recent range of the max_channel and the sum_channel to determine later whether motion is in progress or not.

Following step 110, method 100 proceeds to decision step 112 to determine if any of the switches are active. If no switch is active, method 100 proceeds to step 114 to perform an online real-time calibration. Otherwise, method 116 processes the switch release at step 116. Accordingly, if a switch was already active, then method 100 proceeds to a module where it waits and locks all activity until its release.

Following the real-time calibration, method 100 proceeds to decision step 118 to determine if there is any channel lockout indicative of recent activation and, if so, proceeds to step 120 to decrease the channel lockout timer. If there are no channel lockouts detected, method 100 proceeds to decision step 122 to look for a new max_channel. If the current max_channel has changed such that there is a new max_channel, method 100 proceeds to step 124 to reset the max_channel, sum the ranges, and set the threshold levels. Thus, if a new max_channel is identified, the method resets the recent signal ranges, and updates, if needed, the hunting/exploration parameters. If the switch_status is less than SW_ACTIVE, then the hunting/exploration flag is set equal to true and the switch status is set equal to SW_NONE. If the current max_channel has not changed, method 100 proceeds to step 126 to process the max_channel naked (no glove) finger status. This may include processing the logic between the various states as shown in the state diagram of FIG. 14.

Following step 126, method 100 proceeds to decision step 128 to determine if any switch is active. If no switch activation is detected, method 100 proceeds to step 130 to detect a possible glove presence on the user's hand. The presence of a glove may be detected based on a reduced change in capacitance count value. Method 100 then proceeds to step 132 to update the past history of the max_channel and sum_channel. The index of the active switch, if any, is then output to the software hardware module at step 134 before ending at step 136.

When a switch is active, a process switch release routine is activated which is shown in FIG. 16. The process switch release routine 116 begins at step 140 and proceeds to decision step 142 to determine if the active channel is less than LVL_RELEASE and, if so, ends at step 152. If the active channel is less than the LVL_RELEASE then routine 116 proceeds to decision step 144 to determine if the LVL_DELTA_THRESHOLD is greater than 0 and, if not, proceeds to step 146 to raise the threshold level if the signal is stronger. This may be achieved by decreasing LVL_DELTA_THRESHOLD. Step 146 also sets the threshold, release and active levels. Routine 116 then proceeds to step 148 to reset the channel max and sum history timer for long stable signal hunting/exploration parameters. The switch status is set equal to SW_NONE at step 150 before ending at step 152. To exit the process switch release module, the signal on the active channel has to drop below LVL_RELEASE, which is an adaptive threshold that will change as glove interaction is detected. As the switch button is released, all internal parameters are reset and a lockout timer is started to prevent further activations before a certain waiting time has elapsed, such as 100 milliseconds. Additionally, the threshold levels are adapted in function of the presence of gloves or not.

Referring to FIG. 17, a routine 200 for determining the status change from SW_NONE state to SW_ACTIVE state is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Routine 200 begins at step 202 to process the SW_NONE state, and then proceeds to decision step 204 to determine if the max_channel is greater than LVL_ACTIVE. If the max_channel is greater than LVL_ACTIVE, then the proximity switch assembly changes state from SW_NONE state to SW_ACTIVE state and ends at step 210. If the max_channel is not greater than LVL_ACTIVE, the routine 200 checks for whether to reset the hunting flag at step 208 prior to ending at step 210. Thus, the status changes from SW_NONE state to SW_ACTIVE state when the max_channel triggers above LVL_ACTIVE. If the channels stays below this level, after a certain waiting period, the hunting flag, if set, gets reset to no hunting, which is one way of departing from the hunting mode.

Referring to FIG. 18, a method 220 for processing the state of the SW_ACTIVE state changing to either SW_THRESHOLD state or SW_NONE state is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Method 220 begins at step 222 and proceeds to decision step 224. If max_channel is not greater than LVL_THRESHOLD, then method 220 proceeds to step 226 to determine if the max_channel is less than LVL_ACTIVE and, if so, proceeds to step 228 to change the switch status to SW_NONE. Accordingly, the status of the state machine moves from the SW_ACTIVE state to SW_NONE state when the max_channel signal drops below LVL_ACTIVE. A delta value may also be subtracted from LVL_ACTIVE to introduce some hysteresis. If the max_channel is greater than the LVL_THRESHOLD, then routine 220 proceeds to decision step 230 to determine if a recent threshold event or a glove has been detected and, if so, sets the hunting on flag equal to true at step 232. At step 234, method 220 switches the status to SW_THRESHOLD state before ending at step 236. Thus, if the max_channel triggers above the LVL_THRESHOLD, the status changes to SW_THRESHOLD state. If gloves are detected or a previous threshold event that did not result in activation was recently detected, then the hunting/exploration mode may be entered automatically.

Referring to FIG. 19, a method 240 of determining activation of a switch from the SW_THRESHOLD state is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Method 240 begins at step 242 to process the SW_THRESHOLD state and proceeds to decision block 244 to determine if the signal is stable or if the signal channel is at a peak and, if not, ends at step 256. If either the signal is stable or the signal channel is at a peak, then method 240 proceeds to decision step 246 to determine if the hunting or exploration mode is active and, if so, skips to step 250. If the hunting or exploration mode is not active, method 240 proceeds to decision step 248 to determine if the signal channel is clean and fast active is greater than a threshold and, if so, sets the switch active equal to the maximum channel at step 250. Method 240 proceeds to decision block 252 to determine if there is a switch active and, if so, ends at step 256. If there is no switch active, method 240 proceeds to step 254 to initialize the hunting variables SWITCH_STATUS set equal to SWITCH_HUNTING and PEAK_MAX_BASE equal to MAX_CHANNELS, prior to ending at step 256.

In the SW_THRESHOLD state, no decision is taken until a peak in MAX_CHANNEL is detected. Detection of the peak value is conditioned on either a reversal in the direction of the signal, or both the MAX_CHANNEL and SUM_CHANNEL remaining stable (bound in a range) for at least a certain interval, such as 60 milliseconds. Once the peak is detected, the hunting flag is checked. If the hunting mode is off, the entry ramp slope method is applied. If the SW_ACTIVE to SW_THRESHOLD was a less than a threshold such as 16 milliseconds, and the signature of noise rejection method indicates it as a valid triggering event, then the state is changed to SWITCH_ACTIVE and the process is transferred to the PROCESS_SWITCH_RELEASE module, otherwise the hunting flag is set equal to true. If the delayed activation method is employed instead of immediately activating the switch, the state is changed to SW_DELAYED_ACTIVATION where a delay is enforced at the end of which, if the current MAX_CHANNEL index has not changed, the button is activated.

Referring to FIG. 20, a virtual button method implementing the SW_HUNTING state is illustrated, according to one embodiment. The method 260 begins at step 262 to process the SW_HUNTING state and proceeds to decision step 264 to determine if the MAX_CHANNEL has dropped below the LVL_KEYUP_THRESHOLD_and, if so, sets the MAX_PEAK_BASE equal to MIN (MAX_PEAK_BASE, MAX_CHANNEL) at step 272. If the MAX_CHANNEL has dropped below the LVL_KEYUP_THRESHOLD, then method 260 proceeds to step 266 to employ the first channel triggering hunting method to check whether the event should trigger the button activation. This is determined by determining if the first and only channel is traversed and the signal is clean. If so, method 260 sets the switch active equal to the maximum channel at step 270 before ending at step 282. If the first and only channel is not traversed or if the signal is not clean, method 260 proceeds to step 268 to give up and determine an inadvertent actuation and to set the SWITCH_STATUS equal to SW_NONE state before ending at step 282.

Following step 272, method 260 proceeds to decision step 274 to determine if the channel clicked. This can be determined by whether MAX_CHANNEL is greater than MAX_PEAK_BASE plus delta. If the channel has clicked, method 260 proceeds to decision step 276 to determine if the signal is stable and clean and, if so, sets the switch active state to the maximum channel at step 280 before ending at step 282. If the channel has not clicked, method 260 proceeds to decision step 278 to see if the signal is long, stable and clean, and if so, proceeds to step 280 to set the switch active equal to the maximum channel before ending at step 282.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may include a virtual button mode, according to another embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 21-27, the proximity switch assembly having a virtual button mode and a method of activating the proximity switch with the virtual button mode is shown therein, according to this embodiment. The proximity switch assembly may include one or more proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry for controlling the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors signals indicative of the activation fields, determines a first stable amplitude of the signal for a time period, determines a subsequent second stable amplitude of the signal for the time period, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal exceeds the first stable signal by a known amount. The method may be employed by the proximity switch assembly and includes the steps of generating an activation field associated with each of one or more of a plurality of proximity sensors, and monitoring a signal indicative of each associated activation field. The method also includes the steps of determining a first amplitude when the signal is stable for a minimum time period, and determining a second amplitude when the signal is stable for the minimum time period. The method further includes the step of generating an activation output when the second amplitude exceeds the first amplitude by a known amount. As a result, a virtual button mode is provided for the proximity switch that prevents or reduces unintended or false activations which may be caused by a finger exploring a plurality of proximity switch buttons and changing directions or by a finger covered by a glove.

In FIG. 21, the exploration and activation of a proximity switch is shown for one of the signal channels labeled as signal 50 as a user's finger slides across the corresponding switch, enters an exploration mode, and proceeds to activate the switch in the virtual button mode. It should be appreciated that the user's finger may explore a plurality of capacitive switches as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 in which signals associated with each of the corresponding signal channels are generated as the finger passes through the activation field of each channel. A plurality of signal channels may be processed at the same time and the maximum signal channel may be processed to determine activation of the corresponding proximity switch. In the examples provided in the signal diagrams of FIGS. 21-25, a single signal channel associated with one switch is shown, however, a plurality of signal channels could be processed. The signal 50 associated with one of the signal channels is shown in FIG. 21 rising up to a threshold active level 320 at point 300 at which point the signal enters the exploration mode. The signal 50 thereafter continues to rise and reaches a first amplitude at which point the signal is stable for a minimum time period, shown as Tstable which is shown at point 302. At point 302, the signal 50 enters the virtual button mode and establishes a first base value Cbase which is the delta signal count at point 302. At this point, the virtual button mode establishes an incremental activation threshold as a function of the base value Cbase multiplied by a constant K_(vb). The activation threshold for determining an activation may be represented by: (1+K_(vb))×Cbase, wherein K_(vb) is a constant greater than zero. The virtual button mode continues to monitor the signal 50 to determine when it reaches a second stable amplitude for the minimum time period Tstable which occurs at point 304. At this point 304, the virtual button mode compares the second stable amplitude to the first stable amplitude and determines if the second amplitude exceeds the first amplitude by the known amount of K_(vb)×Cbase. If the second amplitude exceeds the first amplitude by the known amount, an activation output for the proximity switch is then generated.

According to this embodiment, a stable signal amplitude must be maintained by the signal channel for at least a minimum time period Tstable prior to entering the virtual button mode or determining activation of the switch. The sensor value as it enters the virtual button mode is recorded as Cbase. The method monitors for when a subsequent stable signal amplitude is achieved again prior to a time-out period. If a stable signal amplitude is achieved again prior to the time-out period expiring with a delta count value greater than a desired percentage, such as 12.5 percent of the prior recorded Cbase, then activation is triggered. According to one embodiment, a percentage delta signal count increase of at least 10 percent is provided by K_(vb)×Cbase.

The multiplier K_(vb) is a factor of at least 0.1 or at least 10 percent of the Cbase value, according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, the multiplier K_(vb) is set at about 0.125 which equivalent to 12.5 percent. The stable time period Tstable may be set to a time of at least 50 milliseconds, according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, the stable time period Tstable may be set in the range of 50 to 100 milliseconds. The stable amplitude may be determined by the signal amplitude being substantially stable in a range within twice the size of estimated noise on the signal according to one embodiment, or within 2.5 to 5.0 percent of the signal level, according to another embodiment or a combination of twice the estimated noise of the signal added to 2.5 to 5.0 percent of the signal level, according to a further embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 22, a signal 50 for a signal channel associated with a proximity switch is illustrated entering the exploration mode at point 300 and proceeding to a reach a stable first amplitude when the stable signal amplitude exists for a minimum time period Tstable at point 302 in which the virtual button mode is entered. At this point, the Cbase value is determined. Thereafter, the signal 50 is shown dropping and again rising to a second amplitude when the signal is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 306. However, in this situation, the second amplitude at point 306 does not exceed the base value Cbase of the signal at point 302 by the known amount of K_(vb)×Cbase, and as a result does not generate an activation output for the switch.

Referring to FIG. 23, a signal 50 associated with a signal channel is illustrated entering the exploration mode at point 300 and proceeding to reach a first amplitude for a stable time period Tstable at point 302 in which the virtual button mode is entered and Cbase is determined. Thereafter, the signal 50 continues to rise to a second amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 308. However, at point 308, the second amplitude does not exceed the base value Cbase of the signal established at the first amplitude at point 302 by the known amount of K_(vb)×Cbase, so the proximity switch assembly does not trigger a switch output. However, a new updated base value is generated for Cbase at point 308 and is used to determine the known amount for comparison with the next stable amplitude. Signal 50 is shown dropping and then rising to a third amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 310. The third amplitude exceeds the second amplitude by more than the known amount K_(vb)×Cbase such that an activation output for the switch is generated.

Referring to FIG. 24, another example of a signal 50 is illustrated entering the exploration mode at point 300 and continuing to rise to a first amplitude that is stable for a minimum time period Tstable at point 302 in which the virtual button mode is entered and Cbase is determined. Thereafter, the signal 50 is shown dropping to a second amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 312. At point 312, the second amplitude does not exceed the first amplitude by the known amount of K_(vb)×Cbase such that a trigger of the signal is not generated. However, an updated base value Cbase is generated at point 312. Thereafter, signal 50 continues to rise to a third amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 310. The third amplitude exceeds the second amplitude by the known amount K_(vb)×Cbase, such that a trigger or activation output for the switch is generated.

Referring to FIG. 25, another example of a signal 50 for a signal channel is shown entering the exploration mode at point 300 and proceeding to reach a first amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 302 and therefore enters the virtual button mode and determines Cbase. Next, signal 50 continues to rise to a second amplitude that is stable for the time period Tstable at point 308. The second amplitude does not exceed the first amplitude by the known amount such that a trigger of the switch is not generated at this point. Thereafter, signal 50 is shown dropping to point 314 and in the process of doing so, a reset timer times out since the last stable amplitude was received as shown by time Treset. When the reset timer times out, at point 314, the virtual button mode is exited and the exploration mode is entered once the virtual button mode is exited. When this occurs, the prior determined Cbase is no longer valid. Thereafter, signal 50 is shown rising to a third amplitude that is stable for the minimum time period Tstable at point 316. At this point, the third amplitude establishes an updated Cbase which is used for determining future activations of the switch. Thereafter, the signal 50 is further shown dropping below the threshold active value 320, in which case, the virtual button mode is exited without any activations.

A method of activating a proximity switch with a virtual button mode using the proximity switch assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27. Referring to FIG. 26, method 400 begins at step 402 and proceeds to acquire all signal channels associated with all proximity switches at step 404. Method 400 proceeds to decision block 406 to determine if the state is set in the ACTIVE state and, if so, checks for a release of the switch at step 414 before ending at step 416. If the state is not set to the ACTIVE state, method 400 proceeds to step 408 to find the maximum channel (CHT). Next, once the maximum channel has been found, routine 400 proceeds to step 410 to process the maximum channel (CHT) virtual-button method before ending at step 416. The process maximum channel virtual-button method 410 is illustrated in FIG. 27 and described below. It should be appreciated that method 400 may include an optional step 412 for also processing the maximum channel signal using a tapping method to detect a user tapping on a proximity switch so as to generate an activation output.

The process maximum channel virtual-button method 410 shown in FIG. 27 begins at step 420 and proceeds to step 422 to input the maximum channel signal. Hence, the maximum signal channel associated with one of the proximity switches is processed to determine the virtual button mode state and activation of the switch. At decision step 424, method 410 determines if the switch is set to the virtual button mode state and, if so, proceeds to decision step 426 to determine if the signal channel value is less than the active threshold. If the signal channel is less than the active threshold, method 410 proceeds to step 428 to set the state equal to NONE and returns to the beginning. If the signal channel is not less than the active threshold value, method 410 proceeds to decision step 430 to determine if the signal has a stable first amplitude for a time period greater than the stable time period Tstable. If the stable signal channel at the first amplitude is stable for a time period greater than Tstable, method 410 proceeds to decision step 432 to determine if the signal channel is not stable for a time period exceeding the reset time period Treset and, if not, returns to step 422. If the signal channel is not stable for a time period exceeding the reset time period Treset, method 410 proceeds to set the state equal to the exploration/hunting state and ends at step 460.

Returning to decision step 430, if the signal channel is stable for a time period exceeding the stable time period Tstable, method 410 proceeds to decision step 436 to determine if the signal Ch(t) is greater than Cbase by a known amount defined by K_(vb)×C_(base) and, if so, sets the switch state to active so as to generate an activation output before ending at step 460. If the signal does not exceed Cbase by the known amount of K_(vb)×C_(base), method 410 proceeds to set the new Cbase value at the current stable signal amplitude at step 440, before ending at step 460.

Returning to decision step 424, if the switch state is not set to the virtual button mode, method 410 proceeds to decision step 442 to determine if the state is set to the exploration state and, if so, proceeds to decision step 444 to determine if the signal is greater than the active threshold and, if not, sets the state equal to the NONE state and ends at step 460. If the signal is greater than the active threshold, method 410 proceeds to decision step 448 to determine if the signal is stable at an amplitude for a time period exceeding the minimum time period Tstable and, if not, ends at step 460. If the signal is stable at an amplitude for a time period exceeding the minimum time period Tstable, method 410 proceeds to step 450 to set the state for the switch to the virtual button state and to establish the new Cbase value for the signal channel at step 450 before ending at step 460.

Returning to decision step 442, if the state of the switch is not set to the exploration/hunting state, method 410 proceeds to decision step 452 to determine if the signal is greater than the active threshold and, if not, ends at step 460. If the signal is greater than the active threshold, method 410 proceeds to decision step 454 to set the state to the exploration/hunting state before ending at step 460.

Accordingly, the proximity switch assembly having the virtual button method 410 advantageously provides for enhanced virtual button switch activation detection and improved rejection of unintended activations. Method 410 may advantageously detect an activation of a switch while rejecting unintended activations which may be detected when a finger explores the switch assembly and reverses direction or in which the user's finger is wearing a glove. The enhanced activation detection advantageously provides for enhanced proximity switch assembly.

Accordingly, the determination routine advantageously determines activation of the proximity switches. The routine advantageously allows for a user to explore the proximity switch pads which can be particularly useful in an automotive application where driver distraction can be avoided.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may include a pliable material overlaying the proximity sensor and the control circuitry may activate a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material, according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the proximity switch assembly 20 may operate in the virtual button mode and may provide enhanced signal detection by employing the pliable material which deforms to allow the user's finger to move closer to the proximity sensor. In addition, a void space in the form of an air pocket may be provided between the pliable material and the proximity sensor and a raised or elevated surface may further be provided in the pliable material.

Referring to FIGS. 28A-31, the proximity switch assembly 20 employing the pliable material and operating in a virtual button mode and a method of activating the proximity switch with the use of the pliable material in the virtual button mode is shown therein, according to this embodiment. The proximity switch assembly 22 may include a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, generating an activation field. It should be appreciated that a plurality of proximity sensors 24 each generating an activation field may be employed. The proximity sensors 24 are shown provided on the surface of a rigid substrate, such as a polymeric overhead console 12, according to one embodiment. Each of the proximity sensors 24 may be formed by printing conductive ink onto the surface of the polymeric overhead console 12. The proximity sensors 24 may otherwise be formed such as by assembling preformed conductive circuit traces onto a substrate according to other embodiments.

A pliable material 500 is shown covering the substrate 12 and is intended to provide the touch surface for a user's finger 34 to interact with proximity sensors 24 to activate the switches 22. The pliable material 500 is shown formed as a cover layer which may be made of an elastic material including rubber, according to one embodiment. The pliable material 500 is flexible relative to the underlying substrate 12 which is generally rigid. The pliable material 500 overlays the proximity sensor 24 and is deformable when a user's finger 34 applies pressure such that the finger 34 compresses the pliable material 500 and moves inward toward the proximity sensor 24 as shown in FIG. 28C. According to one embodiment, the pliable material 500 may have a layer thickness in the range of approximately 0.1 to 10 millimeters, and more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

The proximity switch assembly 20 employs control circuitry for monitoring the activation field associated with each sensor 24 and determining an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the proximity sensor 24 in relation to a threshold when a user's finger 34 depresses the pliable material 50. The control circuitry may determine a stable amplitude of a signal generated by the proximity sensor 24 for a predetermined time period and may generate a switch activation output when the stable output exceeds a threshold value. According to one embodiment, the control circuitry may determine a first stable amplitude of a signal for a time period, may determine a subsequent second stable amplitude of the signal for a time period, and may generate an activation output for a proximity switch associated with the signal when the second stable signal exceeds the first stable signal by a known amount.

Referring to FIGS. 28A-28D, the proximity switch assembly 20 is illustrated employing a pliable material 500 overlaying one or more proximity sensors 24, according to a first embodiment. As seen in FIG. 28A, a user's finger 34 shown in a first position contacts the surface of the pliable material 500 at a location close to but laterally displaced from a proximity sensor 24. In FIG. 28B, the user's finger 34 is shown moving by sliding laterally to a second position aligned with a proximity sensor 24 without applying pressure to the pliable material 500. This may occur when a user is exploring the proximity sensor assembly 20 in an exploration/hunting mode without an intent to activate the switch 22. In FIG. 28C, the user's finger 34 is shown applying a force toward the proximity sensor 24 so as to depress the pliable material 500 to move the user's finger 34 to a third position closer to the proximity sensor 24. The user's finger 34 may thereby press onto and deform the pliable material 500 to move closer to the proximity sensor 24 and may further squish and thereby flatten the finger 34 against the substrate 12 to provide an enhanced surface area or volume of the finger in close proximity to the sensor 24 which provides greater interaction with the associated activation field and hence, a greater signal.

The sequence of events shown in FIGS. 28A-28C are further illustrated in the signal response shown in FIG. 28D. The signal 506 generated by the proximity sensor 24 is shown rising up to a first level 506A indicative of the user's finger 34 in contact with the proximity switch assembly 20 at the first position laterally distant from the proximity sensor 24 as seen in FIG. 28A. The signal 506 then rises to level 506B indicative of the user's finger 34 shown in the second position aligned with the proximity sensor 24 without applying force as shown in FIG. 28B. Thereafter, signal 506 then rises to a third elevated level 506C indicative of the user's finger 34 applying force in the third position to depress the pliable material 500 as shown in FIG. 28C. Thus, the signal 506 is much greater when the user's finger 34 depresses into the pliable material 500 which enables virtual button detection.

The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of the proximity switch based on signal 506 in relation to a threshold when the user's finger presses the pliable material 500. The process circuitry may include the controller 400 shown in FIG. 5 for executing a control routine which may include routine 520 shown and described herein in connection with FIG. 31. As such, the process circuitry may use a virtual button method as described above to detect an exploration mode and virtual button activations of one or more proximity switches.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may further be configured with a pliable material 500 having a raised or elevated touch surface portion 502 aligned with each proximity sensor 24 and a void space or air gap 504 disposed between the elevated portion 502 and the proximity sensor 24 as shown in FIGS. 24A-24C, according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the air gap 504 formed between the pliable material 500 and each proximity sensor 24 provides an enhanced distance of travel during switch activation that may also serve as a haptic feel for a user. The air gap 504 may have a height distance of less than 5.0 millimeters, according to one embodiment, more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters. The elevated portion 502 of pliable material 500 keeps the user's finger 34 more distal from the proximity sensor 24 in the undepressed state. As shown in FIG. 29A, a user's finger 34 contacts the proximity switch assembly 20 at a location close to but laterally distanced from the proximity sensor 24 in a first position. Next, at FIG. 28B, the user's finger 34 moves to a second position aligned with the proximity sensor 24 on top of the elevated portion 52 of pliable material 500. In this position, a user's finger 34 may be exploring the proximity switches 22 in an exploration/hunting mode, without any intent to activate a switch. In FIG. 29C, the user's finger 34 is shown in a third position depressing the pliable material 500 on top of the elevated portion 502 so as to move the finger 34 to a fully depressed state that compresses the pliable material 500 and the air gap 504 to allow the user's finger to be in a closer position relative to the proximity sensor 24. When this occurs, the control circuitry detects an intent of the user to activate the switch 22 and generates an activation output signal.

Referring to FIG. 28D, the signal 506 generated in response to activation of the activation field by the proximity sensor 24 is shown in relation to the user's finger actuations shown in FIGS. 29A-29C. Signal 506 is shown rising up to a first level 506A indicative of the user's finger 34 in the first position contacting the proximity switch assembly 20 at a lateral distance away from the sensor 24 shown in FIG. 29A. Signal 506 remains at the first level 506A as shown also by level 506B while the user's finger rises up to the second position on the elevated portion 502 aligned above proximity sensor 24 without depressing pliable material 500 as shown in FIG. 29B. The elevated portion 502 thereby allows the signal 506 to maintain a low signal when a user's finger is in an exploration mode and is not intending to activate the switch 22. The signal 506 is shown increasing to a further elevated level 506C indicative of the user's finger 34 depressing the pliable material in the third position by compressing the elevated portion 502 and air gap 504 as shown in FIG. 29C to activate the switch 22. The control circuitry processes the signal 506 to detect an activation of the switch 22 when this occurs, and may further detect an exploration/hunting mode as described above.

Referring to FIG. 30, a state diagram is shown for the proximity switch assembly in another state machine implementation that utilizes the pliable material and virtual button mode, according to one embodiment. The state machine implementation is shown having four states including the wait state 510, the hunting state 512, the virtual button state 514 and the button press state 516. The wait state 510 is entered when the signal is less than a threshold indicative that there is no sensor activity detected. The hunting state 512 is entered when the signal is greater than a threshold indicative of activity determined to be compatible with an exploration/hunting interaction. The virtual button state 514 is entered when the signal is stable. The button press state 516 is indicative of a forceful press on the switch to compress the pliable material once in the virtual button state. When the signal reaches a certain threshold, the hunting/exploration mode 512 is entered. When the signal is stable and greater than a base level, the virtual button mode 514 is entered. If the signal is stable and greater than a base level plus a delta dome value, the button press mode 516 is entered. It should be appreciated that the base level may be updated as described above.

Referring to FIG. 31, the routine 520 for controlling the proximity switch assembly and method of activation using a pliable material as described above in connection with FIGS. 28A-30 is shown and described herein. Routine 520 may be stored in memory 48 and executed by controller 40, according to one embodiment. Routine 520 begins at step 522 to process the largest or maximum signal channel, which is the maximum signal channel associated with one of the proximity switches. At step 524, the maximum signal channel is input to the controller. Next, at decision step 526, routine 520 determines if the current state is set to the wait state and, if so, proceeds to decision step 528 to determine if the maximum signal channel is greater than a threshold. If the maximum signal channel is not greater than the threshold, routine 520 ends at step 530. If the maximum signal channel is greater than a threshold, routine 520 proceeds to set the state to the hunting state at step 532 before ending at step 530.

Returning to decision step 526, if the state is set to the wait state, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 534 to determine if the state is set to the hunting state and, if so, proceeds to decision step 536 to determine if the maximum signal channel is less than a threshold. If the maximum signal channel is less than the threshold, routine 520 proceeds to step 538 to set the state to the wait state, and then ends at step 530. If the maximum signal channel is not less than the threshold 536, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 540 to determine if all signal channels are stable and, if not, ends at step 530. If all signal channels are stable, routine 520 proceeds to step 542 to set the state equal to the virtual button state, and thereafter sets the channel base to the maximum signal channel at step 544 before ending at step 530.

Returning to decision step 534, if the state is not set equal to the hunting state, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 546 to determine if the state is in the virtual button state and, if not, proceeds to step 548 to set the state to the button press state. Thereafter, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 550 to determine if the maximum signal channel is less than a threshold and, if not, ends at step 530. If the maximum channel is less than a threshold, routine 520 sets the state equal to the wait state at step 552 and then releases activation at step 554 before ending at step 530.

Returning to decision step 546, if the state is set equal to the virtual button state, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 556 to determine if the maximum signal channel is less than a threshold and, if so, sets the state equal to the wait state at step 558 before ending at step 530. If the maximum signal channel is not less than the threshold, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 560 to determine if the virtual button timer is greater than a timeout and, if so, sets the state to the hunting state at step 562 before ending at step 530. The virtual button timer may be set to a range of one to three seconds, according to one embodiment. If the virtual button timer has not exceeded the timeout, routine 520 proceeds to decision 564 to determine if all signal channels are stable and, if not, ends at step 530. If all signal channels are determined to be stable, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 566 to determine if the rubber dome is depressed which may be determined by the maximum signal channel greater than a signal channel base summed with a signal delta dome value. If the rubber dome is depressed, routine 520 proceeds to decision step 568 to set the state equal to the button press state, and thereafter generates an activation of the maximum signal channel at step 570 before ending at step 530. If the rubber dome is not depressed, routine 520 proceeds to step 572 to determine that the finger is still sliding and to update the base signal ChBase to the maximum signal channel at step 572 before ending at step 530.

Accordingly, proximity switch assembly 20 having the pliable material 500 and virtual button mode advantageously provides for enhanced virtual button switch activation detection to improve the rejection of unintended activations. Method 520 may advantageously detect an activation of a switch while rejecting unintended activation switch may be detected when a finger explores the switch assembly. The enhanced activation detection advantageously provides for enhanced proximity switch assembly which can be particularly advantageous or useful in an automotive application where a driver distraction may be avoided.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may include a rigid substrate having a first top surface and a second bottom surface, a proximity sensor disposed on the substrate, a pliable material disposed on the top surface of the substrate, and a depression formed within the top surface of the substrate in a region between the pliable material and the proximity sensor, according to one embodiment. The depression is generally larger in size than the proximity sensor such that the depression has a longer length and width as compared to the proximity sensor. The depression allows for the formation of an air gap between the pliable material and the proximity sensor.

Referring to FIGS. 32-34D, the proximity switch assembly 20 employing a pliable material 500 overlaying a rigid substrate 12, and depressions 600 formed within a top surface of the substrate 12 is illustrated according to one embodiment. The proximity switch assembly 20 includes the rigid substrate 12 generally shown as a planar sheet having first and second surfaces shown as top and bottom surfaces. First and second proximity sensors 24, such as capacitive sensors, are shown disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate 12, each of which generates an activation field for a corresponding proximity switch 22. It should be appreciated that one or a plurality of proximity sensors 24 may be included, each sensor generating an activation field. The proximity sensors 24 are shown provided on the bottom surface of the rigid substrate 12, such as a polymeric overhead console 12, according to one embodiment. Each of the proximity sensors 24 may be formed by printing conductive ink onto the bottom surface of the rigid substrate 12. The proximity sensors 24 may otherwise be formed such as by assembling preformed conductive circuit traces onto the substrate 12 according to other embodiments.

A pliable material 500 is shown covering the substrate 12 and is intended to provide the touch surface for a user's finger 34 to interact with one or more of the proximity sensors 24 to activate one or more of the proximity switches 22. The pliable material 500 may be formed as a cover layer which may be made of an elastic material including rubber, according to one embodiment. The pliable material 500 is flexible relative to the underlying substrate 12 which is generally rigid. The pliable material 500 overlays the proximity sensors 24 and is deformable when a user's finger applies pressure such that the finger 34 compresses the pliable material 500 and moves toward a proximity sensor 24. The pliable material 500 may have a thickness as described above in connection with other embodiments, such as in the range of 0.1 to 10 millimeters, and more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters.

The proximity switch assembly 20 further includes a depression 600 within the top surface of the rigid substrate 12 in a region between the pliable material 500 and each proximity sensor 24. Separate depressions 600 may be formed in the top surface of the substrate 12, each generally proximate one of the proximity sensors 24. The depression 600 has a length and width that is larger in size than the proximity sensor 24. The relative size of the depression 600 relative to the proximity sensor 24 is illustrated in FIG. 33. The depression 600 has a first length L_(D) as compared to the proximity sensor 24 which has a second length L_(S), wherein the first length L_(D) is greater than the second length L_(S) by at least 5 millimeters, according to one embodiment. According to a more specific embodiment, the first length L_(D) exceeds the second length L_(S) by a distance in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters. The depression 600 also has a width W_(D) that is larger than a width W_(S) of the proximity sensor 24. The width W_(D) may exceed the width W_(S) by an amount of at least 5 millimeters, according to one embodiment, and more specifically by a distance in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters. The depression 600 may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters according to one embodiment.

While the proximity switch assembly 20 is shown and described herein having each proximity sensor 24 and depression 600 formed in a rectangular shape, it should be appreciated that the sensor 24 and depression 600 may include other shapes and sizes, such as a circular shape or other shape. In doing so, the depression 600 has a depth and also has a size dimension of length and/or width that is greater than a length and/or width dimension of the proximity sensor 24 proximate thereto. For a circular shaped proximity sensor 24 and depression 600, the dimension may be a length measurement of the diameter of the circular shape for each of the sensor 24 and depression 600, wherein the dimension of the depression 600 is greater than the dimension of the proximity sensor 24 by an amount of at least 5 millimeters, according to one embodiment, more specifically in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters.

According to one embodiment, the depression 600 formed in the rigid substrate 12 provides a space for an air gap to be formed between the bottom surface of the depression 600 of substrate 12 and the overlaying pliable material 500. The air gap formed within depression 600 provides a space for the user's finger to depress the pliable material 500 inward and into close proximity with the proximity sensor 24. While an air gap is shown and described herein as filling the void space within depression 600, it should be appreciated that another material, such as a liquid or other gas may be disposed therein. It should further be appreciated that a soft pliable material may be disposed within the depression 600, with the material being substantially less rigid than the rigid substrate 12.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may further employ control circuitry for monitoring the activation field associated with each proximity sensor 24 and determining an activation of a corresponding proximity switch 22 based on a signal generated by the proximity sensor 24 in relation to a threshold when a user's finger 34 depresses the pliable material 500 into depression 600. The signal generally increases in amplitude when the user's finger moves closer to the proximity sensor 24. The control circuitry may operate as described above in connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 28A-31.

Referring to FIGS. 34A-34D, the proximity switch assembly 20 is illustrated employing the pliable material 500 overlaying a depression 600 above each of proximity sensors 24, according to a first embodiment. As seen in FIG. 34A, a user's finger 34 is shown in a first position contacting the top surface of the pliable material 500 at a location close to but laterally displaced from a proximity sensor 24 and depression 600. In FIG. 34B, the user's finger 34 is shown moving by sliding laterally to a second position aligned centrally above a proximity sensor 24 and depression 600 without applying force or pressure to the pliable material 500. This may occur when a user is exploring the proximity sensor assembly 20 in an exploration/hunting mode without any intent to activate the proximity switch 22. In FIG. 34C, the user's finger 34 is shown applying a force towards the proximity sensor 24 so as to depress the pliable material 500 to move the user's finger 34 to a third position closer to the proximity sensor 24 so as to compress the pliable material 500 and collapse the air gap provided within depression 600, and may further squish and thereby flatten the finger against the substrate 12 within the bottom of the depression 600 to provide an enhanced surface area or volume of the finger in close proximity to the sensor 24 which provides greater interaction with the associated activation field and hence, a greater signal.

The sequence of events shown in FIGS. 34A-34C are further illustrated in the signal 606 response shown in FIG. 34D. The signal 606 generated by the proximity switch 24 is shown rising up to a first level 606A indicative of the user's finger 34 in contact with the proximity switch assembly 20 at the first position laterally distant from the proximity sensor 24 as seen in FIG. 34A. The signal 606 maintains a signal amplitude at level 606B indicative of the user's finger 34 shown in the second position aligned with the proximity sensor 24 and depression 600 without applying force as shown in FIG. 34B. Thereafter, signal 606 then rises to a third elevated level 606C indicative of the user's finger applying force in the third position to depress the pliable material 500 into depression 600 as shown in FIG. 34C. Thus, the signal 606 is much greater when the user's finger 34 depresses the pliable material 500 into depression 600 which enables enhanced switch detection. The control circuitry may then monitor the activation field and the signal 606 and determine activation of the proximity switch 22 based on signal 606 as described herein.

The proximity switch assembly 20 may be configured with one or more grooves formed in the rigid substrate between first and second proximity sensors as shown in FIGS. 35-37E, according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, a single groove 610 is shown disposed between adjacent proximity sensors 24 to provide signal isolation between the adjacent proximity sensors 24. It should be appreciated that one or a plurality of grooves may be formed in the rigid substrate 12 between the adjacent proximity sensors 24. In this embodiment, the groove 610 may be employed in combination with depressions 600 or may be employed absent the depressions 600. By employing a combination of depressions 600 and groove 610, enhanced signal detection and reduced signal interference may be achieved. By employing groove 610 without depressions 600, a more compact proximity switch assembly 20 may be achieved with proximity switches 22 located close together without the enlarged size depressions.

As seen in FIGS. 35 and 36, the groove 610 is shown formed in the top surface of the rigid substrate 12 in a region between first and second proximity sensors 24. The groove 610 may have a first dimension shown as length L_(G) that is at least as long as W_(S) the width of the sensor 24, or at least as long as W_(D) in the embodiment with depression 600, and, preferably 5 to 10 millimeters longer than width W_(S) or 0 to 5 millimeters longer than width W_(D) in the embodiment with depression 600, and a second dimension shown as width W_(G) in the range of 1 millimeter to 5 millimeters. The depth of the groove 610 may be in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters. It should be appreciated that the depth of the groove 610 may extend a substantial distance into the top surface of the rigid substrate 12. In one embodiment, the rigid substrate 12 is made of plastic. The groove 610 forms an air gap therein. The air gap has a low dielectric which effectively reduces the activation field in that region and reduces or prevents signal cross talk or interference.

Referring to FIGS. 37A-37E, the proximity switch assembly 20 is illustrated employing the pliable material 500, depressions 600 and groove 610, according to one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 37A, a user's finger 34 shown in a first position contacts a surface of the pliable material 500 at a location close to but laterally displaced from a proximity sensor 24. In FIG. 37B, the user's finger 34 is shown moving by sliding laterally to a second position aligned with a first proximity sensor 24 without applying force or pressure to the pliable material 500. This may occur when a user is exploring the proximity sensor assembly 20 in an exploration/hunting mode without an intent to activate the proximity switch 22. In FIG. 37C, the user's finger 34 is shown moving by sliding laterally over the groove 610 to a third position aligned with a second proximity sensor without applying force or pressure to the pliable material 500, such as may occur in the exploration/hunting mode. In FIG. 37D, the user's finger 34 is shown further sliding to a fourth position in the region of the second proximity sensor 34. It should be appreciated that a user may depress the pliable material 500 above either of the first or second proximity sensors 24 so as to activate either the first or second proximity switches 22.

The sequence of events shown in FIGS. 37A-37D are further illustrated in the first and second signals 608 and 609 responses shown in FIG. 37E. The first signal 608 generated by the first proximity sensor 24 is shown at a first level 608A, when the user's finger is in contact with the proximity switch assembly 20 at both the first and second positions as seen in FIGS. 37A and 37B. As the user's finger approaches the groove 610 between the first and second proximity sensor, the first signal 608 drops to a reduced or zero value. A second signal 609 generated by the second proximity sensor 24 rises back up to signal level 608C and 608D when the user's finger moves away from groove 610 and approaches the third and fourth positions as shown in FIGS. 37C and 37D. The effect of the signals 608 and 609 being at a reduced or zero value occurs when the user's finger 34 passes over the groove 610 between the first and second proximity sensors 24. The groove 610 effectively isolates the signals 608 and 609 to reduce the signal values to a lower or zero value and thereby prevents interference between adjacent proximity sensors 24. The control circuitry may thereby determine activation of either the first and second switches 22 based on signals 608 and 609 with reduced signal interference.

The proximity switch assembly 20 is further illustrated configured with a pliable material 500 having a raised or elevated touch surface portion 620 aligned with each of proximity sensors 24 and depressions 500 as shown in FIG. 38, according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the elevated surface 620 provides an enhanced distance of travel between switch activations that may also serve as a haptic feel for a user. The height of the elevated surface 620 may be in the range of 1 to 2 millimeters, according to one embodiment. The elevated surface 620 may keep the user's finger 34 more distal from the proximity sensor in the undepressed state. It should further be appreciated that the elevated surface 620 may be employed with the depressions 600 or with one or more grooves 610, or with both the depressions 600 and one or more grooves 610.

Accordingly, the proximity switch assembly 20 having the pliable material 500 may employ depressions 600 and/or one or more grooves 610 to provide for enhanced signal detection and switch activation.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A proximity switch assembly comprising: a rigid substrate having top and bottom surfaces and a depression within the top surface of the substrate; a proximity sensor comprising first and second electrodes disposed on the substrate below the depression; and a non-conductive pliable material provided on the top surface of the substrate and extending over the depression, wherein the proximity sensor generates an output signal indicative of the dielectric properties of a user's finger.
 2. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the depression has a first length and the proximity sensor has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length by at least 5 millimeters.
 3. The proximity switch assembly of claim 2, wherein the first length exceeds the second length in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters.
 4. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the depression has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters.
 5. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is rubber.
 6. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein an air gap is formed within the depression.
 7. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate.
 8. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1 further comprising control circuitry monitoring an activation field associated with the proximity sensor and determining an activation of the proximity switch based on the output signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material.
 9. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each of the proximity switches comprising a proximity sensor formed on the bottom surface of the substrate and a depression formed on the top surface of the substrate, and at least one groove extending into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches.
 10. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.
 11. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is installed on a vehicle.
 12. The proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the pliable material comprises an elevated portion disposed over the depression.
 13. A vehicle proximity switch assembly comprising: a rigid substrate having first and second surfaces and a depression forming an air gap within the second surface of the substrate; a proximity sensor comprising first and second electrodes disposed on the first surface of the substrate below the depression; and a non-conductive pliable material provided on the substrate and extending over the depression, wherein the depression is longer than the proximity sensor, and wherein the proximity sensor generates an output signal indicative of the dielectric properties of a user's finger.
 14. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the depression has a first length and the proximity sensor has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length by at least 5 millimeters.
 15. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the first length exceeds the second length in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters.
 16. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the depression has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters.
 17. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the pliable material is rubber.
 18. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the proximity switch comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.
 19. The proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the pliable material comprises an elevated portion disposed over the depression.
 20. The proximity switch assembly of claim 13, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each of the proximity switches comprising a proximity sensor formed on the bottom surface of the substrate and a depression formed on the top surface of the substrate, and at least one groove extending into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. 